George Hammell Cook

George Hammell Cook (January 5, 1818 – September 22, 1889) was the state geologist of New Jersey and vice president of Rutgers College. His geological survey of New Jersey became the predecessor for the U.S. Geological Survey.

Biography He was born in Hanover Township, New Jersey, on January 5, 1818, to John Cook and Sarah Munn.

In 1864 he was appointed as the state geologist of New Jersey.

Legacy Cook College at Rutgers University was named after him,

Timeline 1818 Born in Hanover, New Jersey, on January 18, 1818 1836 Surveyed Canajoharie and Catskill Railroad 1839 Graduated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1839 Tutor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1842-1846 Senior Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1848 Professor of Math and Natural Philosophy at The Albany Academy 1848-1850 Glass-making in Albany, New York 1851-1853 Principal of The Albany Academy 1853 Chairman of Chemistry and Natural Sciences at Rutgers College 1864 Elected as a member to the American Philosophical Society 1864-1889 Vice President of Rutgers College 1864-1889 State Geologist of New Jersey 1872 Published first edition of Geology of New Jersey 1879 Appointed Director of the State Agricultural Experiment Station 1889 Died in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on September 22, 1889, due to heart failure

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